67
67
2. In unaffected broad anlaut it is a strong dental, in inlaut and auslaut after a sonant element it becomes alveolar. In bainion sunx’ ‘female’, for instance final x is produced nearer to the teeth than n bnt yet without touching them. In unaffected slender anlaut » is alveolar.
3. r broad and slender appears to have the same sound in unaffected anlaut, affected it has the reduced sound of rf in the ending -aire and in such combinations as pre- bre- gre- etc.
4. mn slender—=n or ny, andin anuv, so m in neamh. 1 occasionally becomes very slender through combination with j, leaghadh ly& malt. A different sound is that in Jaile, meala, bealaigh, the 1 of leaca seems to resemble the ordinary anlaut Eng. l.
5. The reduced r=r’, though a distinct r sound, is not far removed from a strong y. In producing it the tongue is spread and hollowed spoon-shape the tip brought near the gum behind the upper teeth leaving a slight passage. The stream of air is directed towards the hollow of the tongue and plays against the upturned tip which is probably set in vibration, The teeth are held slightly apart. In the groups pr, br, the tongue is raised and there seems to be one impact against the gum at the beginning of the r sound. In Kilkenny the tongue is not raised and the teeth are almost closed, hence this r became zh, a soft yoiced alveolar affricate.
n.
§$ 54,1. » dental=y, alveolar n, mn slender=ng slender =n, nn broad=n, ng broad=s.
2. m broad and slender occurs in all positions in a word and is pronounced except where assimilated by | or r, or where in nasal affection it is a mere index that the following tenuis is voiced. Under vocalic and consonantal infection though there is change of timbre it never loses its m character. For a discussion of the delicate changes undergone in those con- ditions vid. Pedersen, Aspirationen i Irsk.
